USAF, U.S. Army host 15th annual NCO exchange for JASDF

by Staff Sgt. Marcus Morris
18th Wing Public Affairs

3/14/2015 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force and Army service members hosted an NCO exchange here March 3, giving seven Japan Air Self-Defense Force members a chance to work with their U.S. counterparts.

The JASDF Airmen were each paired with Kadena Airmen or Soldiers in their respective jobs for almost two weeks. This allowed the JASDF Airmen to learn firsthand about their job here and practice their English.

"During these exchanges, JASDF members report for duty at Kadena Air Base and spend the day learning and experiencing the personal and professional lifestyles of our U.S. members," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Erick Lizarraga, 18th Wing assistant JASDF bilateral coordinator. "The objective is to give our NCOs an opportunity to create long-lasting relationships with the JASDF members and experience similarities or differences that exist between our host nation self-defense and our military system."

One pair of Aerospace Ground Equipment NCOs during the exchange found their jobs had more similarities than they would have thought originally.

"Our job is basically the same with a few small differences. We maintain nonpowered and powered AGE, while they only work on powered AGE, but we could both work on a generator together easily," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Blocker, 18th AGE craftsman. "The language barrier was an issue at first, but we quickly worked out key words to talk to each other to accomplish our tasks."

In order to be chosen for this program, JASDF members submitted a package, which was then sent to a review board to ensure requesters met proper rank and job requirements. Finally, the top performers were selected to participate in this exchange.

While the program was mainly about JASDF and U.S. military working together, they also found time during the weekend to connect and get to know each other better at a local indoor sports and gaming complex and by playing volleyball together.

At the end of the exchange, JASDF Tech. Sgt. Daisuke Mitsunaga, Iwo To Air Base Group AGE craftsman said, "I've enjoyed being able to work together with my counterpart and be able to accomplish a similar mission. The exchange has been a good experience."

The NCO exchange program between Kadena Airmen and JASDF started in 2001. Now, after 14 years, it has grown to encompass the Army and may soon add U.S. Navy and Marines to the program.

"NCO exchanges with JASDF members are not new to the wing," Lizarraga said. "We've had exchanges with JASDF for more than a decade now; however, they are beginning to increase in volume and diversification."

Lizarraga went on to say the goal is to host two exchanges annually at Kadena, and  JASDF, in-turn, will host two to three exchanges each year. JASDF recently hosted one exchange at Naha Air Base, Japan, and last year, members were sent once to mainland Japan for NCO exchanges with JASDF, which were great successes.

Aero India 15 showcases India-U.S. partnership

from PACAF Exercises and Readiness Division

3/16/2015 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- From Feb. 18 through 22, more than 95 U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense civilians were among the thousands assembled from around the globe to participate in Aero India 2015, the region's largest tradeshow.

"The tradeshow allowed the U.S. to strengthen its ties with India while furthering military to military relationships," said Maj. Gen. Kevin Pottinger, Pacific Air Forces commander mobilization assistant and lead U.S. Pacific Command representative at Aero India 15.

This year's tradeshow featured the largest and most significant cross-section of U.S. military aircraft and equipment since its inception in 1996, totaling seven aircraft.  Support included the US Air Force's F-16 and C-17 Demonstration Teams and F-15D Eagle and KC-135 tanker static displays.  The U.S. Navy also supported the event with a P-8A Poseidon static, while the U.S. Army Special Forces led multiple combined personnel jumps during the event.

During Aero India, PACAF's F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team, stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, electrified over 200,000 spectators in nine separate aerial demonstrations, expertly showcasing the capabilities of one of the U.S. Air Force's leading fighters.  In addition, the C-17 Globemaster III, stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, took to the skies and impressed all with its exceptional large-aircraft climb, turn and short-field landing capabilities.

An Aero India favorite was the combined U.S. Army and Indian Special Forces free fall jumps from a PACAF C-17, which was the first time the two units jumped together.  The jumps demonstrated U.S.-Indian interoperability and provided a unique training opportunity for more than forty Special Forces personnel.  

"Aero India was a great opportunity to expand U.S. ties with our Indian counterparts," said U.S. Air Force Col. Keith Gibson, U.S. forces air boss for those participating in the event.  "We are honored to be here to demonstrate our partnership with India and remain committed to strengthening our military relationships."

The partnership between India and the United States was on full display at the tradeshow.  Many Indian military personnel had the opportunity to view U.S. military aircraft up close through demonstrations, orientation flights and static displays.

Military members were available to explain aircraft capabilities, highlight the diversity of U.S. military missions, and share their varying experiences with enthusiastic foreign military personnel and visitors to the air show.  Notable visitors included the U.S. Ambassador to India the Honorable Richard Verma and Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey, Director of Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

"This airshow came at a critical juncture to the US-India relationship.  President Obama's January visit to New Delhi and Secretary Kendall's robust engagement to energize the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) reflect India's growth as an important and capable strategic partner with like-minded objectives for regional growth and stability," said an official spokesperson.  " The U.S. was the largest foreign contingent at the show, with 64 companies represented, eight senior leaders and seven of the 11 foreign aircraft.  It was clear to those on hand that the Indo-US relationship is an important pillar in our Pacific rebalance strategy."

USS Lassen Tests Improved Husbanding Agent Payment Process

From Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs

DONGHAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- USS Lassen (DDG 82) conducted a proof of principle (PoP) for the Secretary of the Navy's initiative to pay husbanding service providers using a new procure to pay (P2P) process during a March 12-14 port visit to Donghae.

U.S. Navy ships use husbanding services during port visits for necessities such as fresh water, electricity, phone lines and transportation. As part of the Navy's Financial Improvement Audit Readiness (FIAR), once the ship verifies appropriate services were provided payments are made electronically through DFAS. The new process helps to remove payment burdens from ships in a manner that is flexible and scalable to fit all ship classes while still allowing for effective delivery of port services.

"The P2P proof of principle will aide in achieving maximum fiscal accountability and audit readiness, and help to develop Navy procedures to ensure bill payment is done efficiently, accurately and on-time," said Capt. Paul Filardi, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70's assistant chief of staff for Maintenance, Materiel, Logistics and Readiness.

The new procure to pay process is part of a larger value stream improvement effort providing end-to-end acquisition support for port visit husbanding services. The process emphasizes financial management and connects back to funding and requirement identification activities integrated with the contracting support processes. Lassen's procure to pay demonstration was the second in a series of tests to be conducted in each of the numbered fleets.

The HSP P2P procedures, "will give the Navy a more transparent process at all levels and support attaining Financial Improvement Audit Readiness", said Cmdr. Michael A. Smith, Lassen's commanding officer.

"Over the last few years the Department of Defense has implemented quite a few changes to government spending and record keeping," said Lt. Michael Valle, Lassen's supply officer. "This new initiative furthers that goal while ultimately reducing the burden placed on deployed personnel. I'm excited to be a part of the proof of principle and look forward to the end result of a more accountable execution of tax payer dollars."

Lassen is currently on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations promoting maritime security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Lassen is one of seven Arleigh-burke class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and is permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

Report details causes of December accident

by Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

3/16/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command released the results of its accident investigation board regarding a Dec. 1, 2014,  mid-air collision near Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, N.C.

A C-130H assigned to the 440th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve Command), and a C-27J assigned to the Army Special Operations Command Flight Company, both at Pope Army Airfield, collided approximately 8 miles south of Mackall AAF, N.C. Both aircraft declared emergencies and landed safely, the C-27 at Mackall AAF and the C-130 at Pope AAF.  There were no injuries to the eight C-130 crewmembers or the five C-27 crewmembers. 

The investigation identified several relevant human factors in the mishap:  a breakdown in visual scan resulting in insufficient clearing of the aircraft flight path by both aircrews; both aircrews were over-reliant on Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems to alert them to potential traffic conflicts; and both aircrews exhibited complacency due to the routine nature of the mission profiles, despite the inherent risk associated with night, low-level visual flight rules operations on night vision goggles.

The AIB report is the result of an investigation that included witness testimony; input from technical experts; review of planning, maintenance, and training records; and review for compliance with Air Force directives and guidance. 

The full report is available on the Air Mobility Command Freedom of Information Act site: http://www.amc.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=509 .

For more information regarding the AMC AIB, contact Public Affairs at (618) 229-7839. For information on the Army investigation, please contact the Army Special Operations Command at (910) 432-7585.

627th CES Airman wins IMCOM firefighter award

by Alexandra Kocik
Northwest Guardian

3/16/2015 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD,Wash. -- A Joint Base Lewis-McChord firefighter was chosen as one of nine for the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Service Awards.

Airman 1st Class James Salazar of the 627th Civil Engineer Squadron was selected as the 2014 military firefighter to receive the IMCOM Fire and Emergency Service Award. Salazar is the third consecutive Air Force firefighter from JBLM to win the Army Major Command's award.

The award is open to all branches of service from joint installations. Salazar and the other competitors are judged based on their volunteerism, training and overall job experience.

The former commercial fisherman from Forks, Wash. said he was looking for a change when a family member encouraged him to join the Air Force.

"My brother's in the Army, so he had interactions with Airmen and knew what it was like on both sides from spending time on Air Force bases," he said. "It seemed like the best fit."

Salazar said he feels lucky to be stationed close to home at JBLM. He said he is also thankful to his superior officers for their support during his time here.

Staff Sergeant Sergio Villela, NCOIC of health and safety at the fire department and Salazar's supervisor helped put together the application package. Villela said Salazar always pushes himself to the next level when learning new skills in the job.

"He's a smart kid off the bat, but he definitely puts in the time and effort," he said. "It stands out to me and others in the department."

He also puts in a lot of time doing volunteer work.

"A lot of the time it's difficult to get the younger members to do volunteer work, but it's something he likes to do," he said. "This reflection of the whole person concept is why he was selected both in firefighting and the Air Force."

These qualities also led to Salazar's nomination for 2014 Airman of the Year. Although he did not win, he was selected for below-the-zone promotion to senior Airman six months before the usual three years to earn the rank.

Salazar said his work ethic helped him achieve what he has so far.

"Work hard and strive to be the best and always stand out," he said. "Do your work and always continue your education. If you feel comfortable in this job, there is a lot more for you to work on and learn."

Face of Defense: Marine NCO Saves Lance Corporal’s Life

By Marine Corps Sgt. Sarah Dietz

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, March 16, 2015 – A lot ran through Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Joseph’s mind when he saw the body of a lance corporal on the pavement outside the movie theater here, Feb. 17.

Joseph recognized the victim exhibited signs of cardiac arrest. He knew if cardiovascular resuscitation wasn’t conducted immediately, the Marine would die.

Joseph began CPR. The lance corporal recovered.

That’s why, on March 13, Joseph received the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Heart Saver Hero Award from the American Heart Association at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

“It is interesting to me that we have young men and women who step up and take action when action is needed,” Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan said at Joseph’s award ceremony. Toolan, the commander for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, called Joseph “the epitome of who we are as Marines.”

‘God Sent You to My Son’

The morning of the incident, Joseph, a 25 year old assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, attended annual training with his squadron at the base theater. Feeling tired and not wanting to fall asleep, Joseph headed out to his car to grab an energy drink.

That’s when he heard a thud, a car alarm and noticed a Marine roll on the ground and suddenly stop. He rushed over and realized the Marine had stopped breathing.

“I called 911 and saw two sailors around me and told them to start CPR,” Joseph said. “They said they weren’t trained, and I knew I had to.”

Joseph’s 18-year-old brother, Robert, had died from cardiac arrest. When it happened, no one in the vicinity knew CPR and that’s why Joseph soon made it a point to become CPR-certified.

“I wanted to know why he died,” Joseph said. “Everyone should know CPR. I am familiar with what could happen without it.”

The Ritchie County, West Virginia, native said he was amazed at the timing of the incident. He had completed a CPR refresher course the Friday before the Tuesday incident. He recalled the lance corporal’s mother telling him, “God sent you to my son.”

‘Just What We Do’

“To me, it’s just what Marines do,” Joseph said. “It’s a big deal to everyone else, but to me, it’s just what we do. It means a lot more that he is a Marine, after the fact, because of the brotherhood, but I would have done the same thing if he were anyone else.”

Joseph’s wife, Nicole, and their son, Miles, 3, came to the award ceremony.

“I’m so proud of him,” Nicole said of her husband. “He is very humble and didn’t expect anything in return. Miles [is proud of him, too]. He says he wants to ‘fix helicopters and fight bad guys with my dad one day.’”

by Capt. Megan Liemburg-Archer
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

3/16/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- It's not every day someone gets a phone call to ride along in Alaska's Iditarod sled-dog race with the reigning champion.

When TSgt Gerald Ingram of the 477th Fighter Group received this call, he said, "Yes," with a big smile on his face and without a moment's hesitation.

Ingram teamed up with champion musher, Dallas Seavey, for the Ceremonial Start of the event and mushed with last year's winner for the first 11 miles of the race.

The Air Force Reserve is sponsoring this year's Iditarod as part of its recruiting mission. As the only Air Force Reserve unit in Alaska, the 477th FG provided an "IditaRider" and volunteer support to the world-famous sled-dog race to make the mission a success.

The 477th FG is a small unit of just under 400 members who maintain and support F-22 Raptor operations alongside their 3rd Wing partners. They are interested in supporting this uniquely Alaskan event to recruit new Citizen Airmen into part-time positions in the unit.

The sponsorship kicked off with an invitation to Seavey for a tour of the F-22 Raptor and an introduction to the Airmen of the 477th FG. With enthusiasm very similar to Ingram's, Seavey accepted the invitation.

"I thought about it for all of three seconds and then said 'Absolutely this is going to be awesome!'" Seavey said.

Seavey toured the aircraft March 4, with his jaw agape. He shook hands with unit members, posed for photos and furthered recruiting efforts while speaking to news-media.

As part of the Iditarod sponsorship, members of the 477th FG served as dog handlers, crossing guards and recruiting assistants during the Iditarod's Ceremonial Start in Anchorage, Alaska. The dog handlers assisted mushers with leading dogs down Fourth  Avenue to the starting line. Every Citizen Airman at the event wore recruiting gear and answered spectator inquiries to increase awareness of the Air Force Reserve's presence in Alaska.

Ingram furthered the recruiting mission when he rode the first eleven miles of the Iditarod with Seavey on Saturday as an IditaRider representing the Air Force Reserve. His words describing the experience echoed Seavey's he simply said, "Awesome!"

The sergeant is an aircraft-maintenance supervisor for the Air Force Reserve, overseeing upkeep and repairs on F-22 Raptors, and a medical assistant in Anchorage, Alaska, in his civilian occupation.

This year's sponsorship is the beginning of what Stan Hooley, Iditarod CEO, would like to be an ongoing relationship. He said the Iditarod is beginning to draw national media attention and they are looking to draw the interest of the same young audience from which the Air Force Reserve recruits.

The Air Force Reserve's sponsorship of the Iditarod can benefit the Iditarod, a long-standing Alaskan tradition and the Air Force Reserve's recruitment of Alaskan Citizen Airmen.

Holloman Offers Visitors Unique Opportunity

by 2nd Lt. Travis Schirner
49th Wing Public Affairs

3/16/2015 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A two-man German Tornado crew encountered a crisis unlike anything they had been prepared to take on. To their rear is a Russian Mikoyan-and-Gurevich, coming in hot, ready to engage. The crew of the Tornado instinctively drops their payload, descends and speeds up. It's the Tornado's primary evasive maneuver, faster and lower. They cannot escape. Just then, behind the MiG, a U.S. F-16 pulls up.

"The whole thing lasted just 10 seconds - 10 seconds, it was over," said German Air Force (GAF) Master Sergeant Sebastian Becker, GAF Maintenance and Weapons Squadron, on a recent tour of the GAF Flying Training Center at Holloman.

It is this kind of synergy that characterizes German/American relations at Holloman Air Force Base. And those lucky enough to tour Holloman reap rewards from it in the form of legacy combat stories like this and one-of-a-kind experiences.

There are few places in the world where one can be briefed on the German Tornado, an American F-16, the MQ-1 and MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), and a historic high speed test track in the same day. Over a dozen teenage members of the inaugural Junior Leadership Otero group were given that opportunity March 9 at Holloman.

The Junior Leadership Otero program is designed for high school juniors throughout Otero County's school districts. Laurie Anderson, the group's advisor, said the program is "designed to guide, teach, and strengthen (the students') leadership abilities."

"Our hopes are to educate these junior leaders to see the important role Holloman Air Force Base has here in Otero County," she said. "How Holloman comes together as a team and the leadership they exemplify.  (We) allow them to see, hands-on, the different career opportunities that they can take and provide them with the education piece to get them there."

The 49th Wing at Holloman is host to a wide variety of tenant units, and the base offers visitors a unique view of Air Force training for many missions and aircraft, both foreign and domestic. Junior Leadership Otero students toured the 49th Wing, the GAF Flying Training Center, the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, MQ-9 Operations, the 846th Test Squadron and the 54th Fighter Group.

At the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the students were informed that remotely piloted aircraft teams at Holloman are training for careers at other Air Force installations across the U.S. They also got a chance to see static displays of MQ-1 and MQ-9 and hear detailed briefs on each from Airmen of the 49th AMXS in historic Hangar 500.

After remarking that RPA crews could see how many fingers someone is holding up from miles away, Maj. Jeurney Meekins, 49th AMXS commander, said, "We are taking out the bad guys with precision accuracy."

On the flight line, not far from where she stood, Holloman instructor pilots and sensor operators trained future crews. Pilots and sensor operators undergoing training at Holloman operate the MQ-1 and MQ-9 in the skies south of Alamogordo, preparing for future combat.

The students were also able to watch live RPA training missions on a wall of televisions in the MQ-9 operations center.

From behind the supervisor's desk, Maj. William, 49th Wing scheduler and MQ-9 evaluator pilot, said, "You hear a lot of things about RPAs in the news, on Twitter - but when you have troops on the ground, we can give the good guys a heads up about where the bad guys are coming from. That's huge. The truth is that RPAs save lives."

Upon completion of the tour, one student said, "The day educated us to understand the impact that Holloman Air Force Base has in our community, how the military works together. (We learned) what all Holloman Air Force Base does and all the types of job occupations that they have here.  It was a valuable day!"

Groups of 10 or more are welcome to visit the 49th Wing and its many tenant units. To schedule a tour, please contact the 49th Wing Public Affairs office at 575-572-7381.

CMSAF addresses Team Offutt's "all volunteer force" concerns

by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
55th Wing Public Affairs

3/16/2015 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb.  -- Airmen were not short on questions this week during the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force's visit to Offutt Air Force base.

It was clear, serving in the Air Force with an ever-changing environment has created challenges, but for its highest ranking enlisted Airman, those obstacles are his priority.

"We are currently the smallest Air Force in the history of the Air Force, yet we are more globally engaged today than ever before," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody.  "We are in the longest sustained combat operations in the history of our country and for the first time ever we are doing that with an all professional volunteer force ... It is my job to represent you and help influence and shape the things that are important to our Air Force."

The 55th Wing is no stranger to the combat environment.  Its assets and Airmen have been deployed non-stop for nearly 25 years, and according to Cody, the wing will not see a significant decrease anytime in the near future.

"The idea that as we reduce the footprint on the ground in Afghanistan, there would be a measurable reduction in the operations tempo is not really the reality," Cody said. "That region has been extremely critical to us and is going to remain critical. To have our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets and Airmen engaged there is essential for the security of our nation and our partners."

Because of the wing's prominent ISR mission, it was recently transitioned from 12th Air Force to the newly established 25th Air Force, which was previously the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency.

"The effort there was to align ISR resources for our combat air forces and provide a level of synergy within an organizational structure," said Cody. "All the feedback we have received thus far says we met the objective very quickly as a result."

Team Offutt's Airmen were also interested to hear about big picture Air Force issues such as the uncertainty Airmen may be feeling over the future of their benefits. Cody addressed how budget constraints have had a huge impact.

"We are the best compensated military we have ever been," he said. "Everything our Airmen and families receive today, they have earned. But the idea that we will be able to continue on the rate of growth is not sustainable. We do not want to reduce or cut anything, but we have to be realistic. It can't continue to grow at the same rate it has and remain sustainable."

There have also been many recent changes to the enlisted performance report with a larger focus on "performance."

"First and foremost, the American people expect us to perform our mission," Cody said. "So it has to be the first thing we do and the first thing we are good at, that is why we have prioritized it that way. In no way, shape or form in the profession of arms, are we walking away from the whole person concept. But it is not first; it is after people are doing their job well."

In recent years, the Air Force has also seen a huge push for education in resiliency with the implementation of quarterly Comprehensive Airmen Fitness days. CAF focuses on sustaining four pillars of fitness which are mental, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing.

"We are trying to be very deliberate about reinforcing the information and approaching this in the manner that we are, so Airmen realize that what they are going through in their military service is not necessarily unique to them," Cody said. "Many Airmen and families have gone through it before and there are resources to help them through this. We want to have a very strong resilient force because the nation needs us to be strong and resilient."

Cody added that by focusing on CAF and providing periodic training, over time, the culture and environment will change and it will become second nature.

As for the environment at Offutt, Cody was impressed by the Airmen within the wing and tenant units.

"We have had the great opportunity to chat with some really motivated Airmen who are really proud of what they do and are extremely knowledgeable," Cody said. "It seems pretty clear to me they understand how their mission connects to what we are doing in our Air Force. You could really see that pride."